Photos: 9 paintings cover 8 storefronts for Smash Art in downtown Rockford

October 27, 2023|By Kevin Haas|In 815 News, Rockford, Business, Top Stories, Positive & Uplifting, Arts & Culture
Pablo Korona hung this framed painting on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at Altamore Law as part of Smash Art in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

ROCKFORD — A stretch of East State Street in downtown became an outdoor art gallery of sorts this week as local artists created nine mini murals to cover broken windows at eight storefronts.

The project is called Smash Art, and it was organized by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, River District Association and Rockford Area Arts Council.

The goal was to give local businesses a better look while they wait for their glass pane replacements to come in after vandalism earlier this month. Those windows, in some cases, may take several weeks to arrive.

Background: Smash Art turns vandalism into mini murals in downtown Rockford

Here’s a look at the nine new paintings downtown. See them all below:

Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails

Artist Jenny Mathews painted this mini mural over a broken window pane on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, 509 E. State St. in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 509 E. State St.

Artist: Jenny Mathews

More news: New management aims to reinvigorate banquet operations at former Cliffbreakers in Rockford

Lucette

Artist Drew Eurek created this mural covering a broken glass pane at Lucette, 508 E. State St., in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 508 E. State St.

Artist: Drew Eurek (outside of entrance – above); Brett Whitacre (inside of entrance – below)

Brett Whitacre created this mural at Lucette, 508 E. State St., in downtown Rockford. It’s shown on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Woodfire

Brett Whitacre created this mural for Smash Art at Woodfire, 408 E. State St., in downtown Rockford. It’s shown on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 408 E. State St.

Artist: Brett Whitacre

More news: New Loves Park business with diecast cars, toys and collectibles readies for first show

Altamore Law

Pablo Korona hung this framed painting on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at Altamore Law as part of Smash Art in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 401 E. State St.

Artist: Pablo Korona

The Underground

Artist Asia Peters created this painting to cover a broken window at The Underground Art Gallery, 418 E. State St., Rockford. It’s pictured Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, as part of Smash Art. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 418 E. State St.

Artist: Asia Peters

Related: Trick-or-treat in downtown Rockford this Saturday during Spook the Blocks

Wired Cafe

Artists Carly Rose created this mini mural for Smash Art at Wired Cafe, 414 E. State St., Rockford. It’s shown on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 414 E. State St.

Artist: Carly Rose

Exquisite Cuts and Shaves

Artist Laura Gomel created this painting for Smash Art to cover a broken window pane at Exquisite Cuts and Shaves, 420 E. State St., Rockford. It’s shown on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 420 E. State St.

Artist: Laura Gomel

Sisters Thai Cafe

Dysen White created this mural at Sisters Thai Cafe, 514 E. State. St., for Smash Art in downtown Rockford. It’s shown on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Where: 514 E. State St.

Artist: Dysen White

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas